Japan orders military to prepare to shoot down North Korean spy satellite

Kim Jong-un celebrates the test-fire of a new solid-propellant ICBM earlier this month. Photo: STR/KCNA VIA KNS/AFP/Getty Images

Japan has ordered its military to prepare to shoot down a North Korean spy satellite if it falls on its territory.

This week, Pyongyang said that it is ready to launch a satellite, but that it will require a long-range projectile that North Korea is banned from launching.

The United Nations views such exercises as tests of ballistic missile technology.

Yasukazu Hamada, Japan's defense minister, ordered the Self-Defense Forces to make the necessary preparations, as he could potentially «order the destruction of ballistic missiles.»

The preparations included preparations for the deployment of troops. to the southern prefecture of Okinawa to «minimize damage in the event of a ballistic missile crash.»

Yasukazu Hamada , Minister of Defense of Japan , could potentially «order the destruction of ballistic missiles.» Photo: STR/JIJI Press/AFP/Getty Images

Mr. Hamada ordered to prepare for the deployment of destroyers equipped with SM-3 interceptor missiles, as well as military units in the southern prefecture of Okinawa, which can carry Patriot PAC-3 missiles.

North Korea tested ballistic missiles that Pyongyang named satellite launches in 2012 and 2016. Both missiles flew over the Okinawa area.

Japanese media reported on Saturday that the Ministry of Defense issued the same preparation orders in 2012.

Pyongyang did not give a launch date, but leader Kim Jong-un only said that the satellite would be launched «on the scheduled date».

On Tuesday, G7 foreign ministers meet in Japan. demanded that North Korea refrain from any further ballistic missile tests after a series of launches this year.

The group of countries also warned Pyongyang against conducting expected nuclear weapons tests and said it would " reliable" reply if it doesn't meet the requirements.

Pyongyang said last week that it had successfully tested a solid-fueled ICBM , hailing this as a breakthrough in the country's nuclear counterattack capabilities.

North Korea is expected to conduct more weapons tests as the United States and South Korea continue their joint air exercises next week.

President Joe Biden should highlight the US commitment to deterring North Korea's nuclear attack against the South at a summit next week with South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol.